Stent with drug coating

Abstract

Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A stent comprising a body having a first end and a second end and comprising a body coating including:
 a drug; 
 a reservoir region containing the drug; and 
 a barrier region disposed over the reservoir region, wherein 
 a concentration of the drug in the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; 
 a thickness of the barrier region decreases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; and 
 the barrier region is completely or substantially drug-free. 
 
     
     
       2. The stent of  claim 1  wherein a thickness of the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       3. The stent of  claim 1  wherein a surface area of the body increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       4. A method for forming the stent of  claim 1  comprising forming a stent coating comprising:
 a drug; 
 a reservoir region containing the drug; and 
 a barrier region disposed over the reservoir region, wherein 
 a concentration of the drug in the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; 
 a thickness of the barrier region decreases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; and 
 the barrier region is completely or substantially free of the drug. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein a thickness of the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4  wherein a surface area of the body increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       7. A stent having a body with a first end and a second end, the body comprising depots disposed in the stent body surface and filled with a drug and a barrier region, wherein
 the depot volume increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end, 
 a thickness of the barrier region decreases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; and 
 the barrier region is completely or substantially drug-free. 
 
     
     
       8. A stent comprising a body having a first end and a second end and comprising a body coating including:
 a drug, 
 a reservoir region containing the drug; and 
 a barrier region disposed over the reservoir region, wherein 
 a release rate of the drug from the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end, 
 a permeability of the drug in the coating increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; 
 a thickness of the barrier region decreases along the stent body from the first end to the second end; and 
 the barrier region is completely or substantially drug-free. 
 
     
     
       9. A method for forming a stent having a body with a first end and a second end, the method comprising applying a coating containing a drug to the stent surface, wherein a concentration of the drug in the coating and a permeability of the drug in the coating increase along the length of the stent body from the first end to the second end wherein a thickness of the coating increases along the length of the stent body from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
       10. A method for forming a stent having a body with a first end and a second end, the method comprising applying a coating containing a drug to the stent surface, wherein a concentration of the drug in the coating and a permeability of the drug in the coating increase along the length of the stent body from the first end to the second end wherein a surface area of the body increases along the stent body from the first end to the second end.